Forgiveness as part of the process to peace...
Today we joined over 3,000 youth and young adults at a festival called Summer Madness. It's a Christian event to what I assume would be similar to the States' Creation Festival. We sat in on one session of Ramy, a friend we met through the Faith in Conflict Conference, to hear his testimony of finding forgiveness for his father.
I thought it was both insightful and inspiring. Here are some of the notes I took on it in regard to the process of forgiveness for the victim:
1) One must acknowledge anger
2) One must not cause harm or take revenge
3) Look at the bigger picture and recognize the humanity of the one who hurt you
4) Know you and your feelings can change
5) Get on with being your best self (from victim --> survivor --> thriver)
It is hard, but every step is your choice to take. Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened, rather is an every day journey in finding the way to heal hurt.
Pain is very personal, but God is our Redeemer and Restorer of all good things if we allow Him to.
I am reminded of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's quote:
"To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. It is also a process that does not excude hatred and anger. These emotions are all part of being human. You should never hate yourself for hating others who do terrible things: the depth of your love is shown by the extent of your anger.
However, when I talk of forgiveness I mean the belief that you can come out the other side a better person. A better person than the one being consumed by anger and hatred. Remaining in that state locks you in a state of victimhood, making you almost dependent on the perpetrator. If you can find it in yourself to forgive then you are no longer chained to the perpetrator. You can move on, and you can even make the perpetrator a better person too."
Amen!
May it be so in all our lives for the glory of God,
Ang
I thought it was both insightful and inspiring. Here are some of the notes I took on it in regard to the process of forgiveness for the victim:
1) One must acknowledge anger
2) One must not cause harm or take revenge
3) Look at the bigger picture and recognize the humanity of the one who hurt you
4) Know you and your feelings can change
5) Get on with being your best self (from victim --> survivor --> thriver)
It is hard, but every step is your choice to take. Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened, rather is an every day journey in finding the way to heal hurt.
Pain is very personal, but God is our Redeemer and Restorer of all good things if we allow Him to.
I am reminded of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's quote:
"To forgive is not just to be altruistic. It is the best form of self-interest. It is also a process that does not excude hatred and anger. These emotions are all part of being human. You should never hate yourself for hating others who do terrible things: the depth of your love is shown by the extent of your anger.
However, when I talk of forgiveness I mean the belief that you can come out the other side a better person. A better person than the one being consumed by anger and hatred. Remaining in that state locks you in a state of victimhood, making you almost dependent on the perpetrator. If you can find it in yourself to forgive then you are no longer chained to the perpetrator. You can move on, and you can even make the perpetrator a better person too."
Amen!
May it be so in all our lives for the glory of God,
Ang
posted by M.A.P. at
3:49 PM
2 Comments:
Words cannot express my jealousy. I love you all.
Jacob
By
Anonymous, at 6:05 PM
Ang, great post! Here's to praying that true forgiveness begins in each one of us as we pray for the reconciliation of others. Peace , love , and Jesus be with you all. cheers!
-ashley kern
By
ashley, at 1:51 PM
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